By Omolaoye Sodiq
I got myself largely acquainted with Sahara reporters news
agency in 2009 because of its reporting style on the health status of late
president Umaru Musa Yaradua. Sahara reporters coverage and reportage of Yaradua’s
illness, plus the political fracas played then was unmatched by any Nigerian
news media. An Online news agency, based in New York City, Sahara reporters was
founded in 2006 by Nigerian political activist, Omoyele Sowore (Wikipedia). Sahara
reporters has since then become significant in reporting social issues, more
importantly, their media intelligence when it comes to investigative journalism
is a force to reckon with.
Hitherto as I am putting this down, I have not seen any
Nigerian news organization that can
stand par with Sahara Reporters when it comes to pragmatic investigative journalism’-
an aspect of journalism which most news media lack in Nigeria. To be candid, I
am part of Nigerians who erstwhile hauled insults on Sahara reporters whenever
a report from them does not favour my political views. It came to an extent
that I vowed not to believe anything from them anymore. But today, my
perception of the online news medium has changed. Though, I still show some scepticism
whenever I come across some of their reports. But, in whatever way you
presently espy Sahara reporters, the fearless news medium deserves shower of accolades
for revamping Investigative journalism in Nigeria.
As a media student, I can say I have copious knowledge on how
our media organizations work. Most of them, whether Newspaper, Magazine, TV or
Radio largely depend on press releases and news conferences to break
information to the public. Their thirst for investigative journalism died long
ago. It is indeed a show of shame on the well respected field of journalism to
have reporters and editors who for known reasons find it difficult to dig up issues
and get to the root of matters that affect public interest. Instead of that,
our dear journalists only crave to attend press conferences where ‘’brown envelopes’’
are shared aftermath.
In today’s world, a free, aggressive, open and bold press is
part of spiritual core for a sustainable democracy. This is because investigative
journalism helps to inform, unleashes and reveals to us the happenings in our
society. It is critical to the advancement and preservation of a country’s
democratic institution. It involves exposing corruption in high places and
peering into neglected corners of society. It epitomizes the popular ideal of
the news media as the fourth estate of the realm playing a role as a watchdog
on society and its institutions. I have heard of series of training organized
for journalists in Nigeria regarding investigative reporting, but practically
we have nothing to show for it. Journalism in Nigeria has turned to a trade.
Journalists in Nigeria have already compromised their integrity and professionalism
for monetary gains. It is indeed a digression from the ethical principles of journalism.
In a paper presented by the former president of the Nigerian
Guild of editors, Alli Hakeem in 2014, titled “investigative journalism: The endangered
genre’’, he said a content analysis Nigerian newspapers shows that adverts and
straight stories occupied prominent displays’’. This shows that Nigerian
journalists have no interest in throwing light to unanswered questions in a
story. The ‘’why’’’ and ‘’How’’ has been left to citizen to find out themselves.
The main reason I doff my hat for Sahara reporters.
Sahara reporters have exposed so many political ills ravaging
our country which most turned out to be true. The latest expose articles
written by Sahara reporters on the ‘’arms deal’’ investigation speaks a lot of its
journalism tenacity. Many of its reports have made government set up investigative
panels to look into the allegations and punish those found guilty, i.e
EkitiGate scandal. I am not giving my 100 percent to Sahara reporters but in
all emphasis, they worth the onion. Regarding Sahara reporters as the ‘”wikileaks
of Africa’ is absolutely not out of place. Nevertheless, some of their reports
may not be totally true. This is not unexpected in journalism since journalists
get information from wide range of contacts and sources. A contact could give
misleading information. It’s left for the journalist to investigate more and
reach a reasonable conclusion.
The owner of Sahara reporters brought himself to
limelight through in-depth investigative reporting even though some people are of
the opinion that he was able to do so because he located his office out of the
shores of Nigeria. With all sense of humour, I wouldn’t mind if all the news
media organizations in Nigeria can relocate to abroad and bring to our
forefront quality, well research and in-depth investigative reports.
However, before I put down my pen, I wish to acknowledge the
doggedness of the premium Times newspaper for a job well done by creating a
center for encouraging and training Nigerian journalists on the skills required
for effective investigative reporting. With all due respect to all home based
media organizations, you have been beaten at your own game. To me, Sahara
reporters is the face of modern investigative journalism.
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